President Jokowi Plays Soccer at Papua PON Opening Ceremony

President Jokowi plays soccer with three Papuan boys at the opening of the XX Papua National Games (PON) (02/10/2021). (Photo by: Presidential Secretariat’s Press, Media, and Information Bureau)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo played soccer with three Papuan boys after one of them asking the President to join the play. President Jokowi and the Papuan boys played soccer at the Opening Ceremony at the XX Papua National Games (PON) at Lukas Enembe Stadium in Jayapura regency on Saturday (02/10).

“Mr. President, please come, join us,” the boy said.

Responding the call, the Head of State smiled and left his seat to join the play. Every time President Jokowi kicked the ball, he got boisterous applause from all audience at the opening ceremony.

After playing soccer, President Jokowi received a tifa drum (Papua’s native traditional drum) and played it, followed by other VVIP guests at the stadium, thus marking the XX Papua PON official opening.

On that occasion, former Indonesian soccer player from Papua Boaz Salossa brought the torch to the main stage and lighted the XX Papua PON cauldron. (TGH/UN) (AP/LW)